After my series on the parables, I found I was drawn to look into the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels. I have never studies the mighty works of Jesus as a focused effort before and am looking forward to finding nuggets of truth that we can be encouraged by.

I have provided a general introduction, with an opportunity to download two files for your reference in my initial post Signs and Mighty Works of Jesus – Introduction. I found that the format I used for the parable posts were useful to keep me on track, and will continue to use them for this series, with some minor tweaks. With that said, let’s take a look at

Jesus Feeds 4,000

Matthew 15:32-39

Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.

Mark 8:1-13

In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha. The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.

General Observations

The first thing to observe is that this miracle appears to be similar to the feeding of the 5,000. Some may want to consider this miracle as the same miracle told two different times, yet a careful reading exposes too many differences to consider that to be true. Consider.

One last difference in the two miracles may be found in the words of Jesus Himself

Matthew 16:9-10 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered?

Jesus referred to the two miracles as separate occasions, which is the potential reason Matthew and Mark recorded this second feeding. So, as we enter our passage, let’s not forget this is a second feeding of a multitude.

Questions to Consider

Who were the audience?

As mentioned above, this audience was primarily gentile, and as Matthew describes, consisted of four thousand men, besides women and children. Mark simply mentioned 4,000 people. A full audience size, as discussed in our previous post on the feeding of the 5,000, may have consisted of as many as 16,000 people, given that each man may have brought a wife and an average of a couple of children. (See Signs and Mighty Works of Jesus #19 – Jesus Feeds 5,000)

No matter how you slice it, this crowd was massive, and defining the crowd to a specific size greater than the 4,000 may be an effort in futility. Whether it be 4,000 or 16,000 feeding such a crowd from a few fish and loaves makes a point. That point may have been directed to the audience consisting of 12 men who experienced this miracle first hand in the delivery of it!

When did the Lord perform this mighty work?

See https://www.bibletimelines.net/timelines/jesus-ministry

Where did the Lord perform this mighty work?

As mentioned above, the Lord performed this miracle in the region of the Decapolis, amongst a primarily gentile crowd. See Signs and Mighty Works of Jesus – Introduction for downloadable reference file.

Why did the Lord perform this mighty work?

I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat.

Jesus had compassion on the crowd. He knew the crowd was at a point where if they were sent away, they would faint on their way. Some in the crowd were at their physical limits, and Jesus saw their suffering. Three days of following the Master, and now the crowd had nothing to eat.

I suppose a more important question is how would the disciples respond to this similar request of the Lord, based on His stated compassion for a crowd of gentiles. Besides this, the present location seems even more desperate than in the feeding of the 5,000, since in the previous location, the disciples mentioned villages to send the crowds to. Not so in this instance.

In all of these challenges, we must remember that the feeding of some stomachs was not the end goal, for they would need to be fed again and again. Not only were the crowd in need, the disciples were being challenged with a problem that they had already seen the Lord supply for.

What was the message for the original audience?

Note how the disciples addressed the compassion of the Master. A compassion for a primarily gentile crowd. In our previous miracle, the disciples suggest to the Lord the release of the crowds in order to get themselves food. In this miracle, no suggestion is given by the disciples. Might they have learned to trust somewhat, to have some patience in the exercising of the Lord’s ways? I would like to think so. Yet, as the Lord breached the topic of the audience going home (echoing the disciples desire from the earlier feeding?), the disciples asked the big question.

How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place? Mark 8:4

Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd? Matthew 15:33

Could the disciples be breaching their own inability, speaking of their weakness in providing for such need, and looking to the Lord for His provision? I want to hear this response as an open question, a question that reflects their own lack, in order for the Lord to provide, to supply what they cannot.

What is the message for us today?

As with so many of these miracles, the messages to each of us may be highly personal. The following are points that are real to me.

Weakness

The disciples, as I mentioned above, were evidently not as self assured, not as “in charge” of the situation as in the previous feeding. They did not initiate a solution for the Lord to agree to, but simply asked an open question. No mention of sending the crowd away. They asked questions, allowing the Lord to initiate a solution, to allow Him to provide in His way, for they had experienced this problem once before. And given that they had experienced this very situation previously, they did not come to Him suggesting (or demanding) the same solution. This, in my opinion, is a sign of growth, and although the disciples were often upbraided for their lack of faith, it is refreshing to see change in their lives because of Him.

In our lives, a realization of our weakness is critical to allow the Lord to have His way in our lives. A constant demanding of God to perform according to our will, of having a faith that has specific definite expectations may lead more to disappointment. It is a paramount mission of the believer to be like Him, as He says

Not my will, but thine be done

Patience

Closely linked to the characteristic of weakness, is the increasing ability to exercise patience in the midst of trying circumstances. If we are in the midst of a comfortable, highly regulated and safe environment, (as many may be who are reading this post), the appearance of patience is a relatively easy character trait to display, for there may be little that forces us to be pushed to a limit, to a breaking point.

Consider the disciples and the growing problem of the crowd going without food. The situation was coming to a breaking point, where it was evident that some in the crowd were in a very bad situation. Even the disciples were coming to the end of their supplies, for 7 loaves amongst 13 men is “scraping the bottom of the barrel”!

At different times in our lives, patience will be required in order to obtain the promises. For a consideration of the importance of patience in the Christian life, I would refer you to a post within a series I wrote on Hebrews 12:9-11 (Patience – Required to Inherit the Promises)

Timing

This last application, closely related to patience, is the one that seemingly bites me in the behind the most. Exercising patience to an expected end is required for the believer, but as a weak man, I find I fail in fully realizing the timing of the Lord. Of course, some instances force my acceptance of the timing of the Lord, since I realize I have no ability to change a situation – It is up to the Lord to decide when and how.

Yet, it is somewhat comforting to see the Lord allow a situation to occur, (as in the increasing need of feeding 4,000), whether through our own poor planning or even our inability to foresee problems. A period of doing without is allowed in the will of the Master, yet it is His compassion that breaks through to provide, to allow relief in the entire scheme of things.

As the Lord brings relief, and in His timing, consider the message He may be providing, and not simply the provision to satisfy the immediate need.

As you can see, this miracle speaks to weakness, patience and timing, and they are all aspects of a Christian life that is dependent on the actions of the Lord.

We are to be dependent. He is dependable. Seems this is the will of God, and that He keeps His end of the bargain up.

Are you being stretched in the experience of weakness, patience and the timing of the Lord?

Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion

Come join us at Considering the Bible

After my series on the parables, I found I was drawn to look into the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels. I have never studies the mighty works of Jesus as a focused effort before and am looking forward to finding nuggets of truth that we can be encouraged by.

I have provided a general introduction, with an opportunity to download two files for your reference in my initial post Signs and Mighty Works of Jesus – Introduction. I found that the format I used for the parable posts were useful to keep me on track, and will continue to use them for this series, with some minor tweaks. With that said, let’s take a look at

Jesus Heals a Deaf and Dumb Man

Mark 7:31-37

Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

General Observations

If I’m looking at a map of Tyre and Sidon, and Jesus’ eventual destination in this passage, that is the Sea of Galilee, it appears the route is unnecessarily long. And why head north, when the Sea of Galilee is southeast of Tyre?

Is Mark implying that Jesus had a specific purpose in the area of Sidon that He doesn’t refer to. This is definitely a possibility for the Lord performed so many miracles and taught so many folks, that this may be a location that has simply not been recorded for our instruction. After all, as John tells us…

… there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

An alternative reason He went through Sidon to eventually go southeast may have been simply an opportunity for Jesus and His disciples to finally get an extended time of quietness. Much had occurred in the recent weeks and the Lord had mentioned a number of times that they as a group needed to regroup and find some solitude. (See Mark 6:31, Mark 7:24 for examples)

Questions to Consider

Who were the audience?

The only ones present, per the text, was the Master, those who brought the deaf man, and a crowd. Yes even in the Decapolis, where He had been banished from due to the swine incident, He had accumulated a gathering, a crowd of those who followed Him as He was on His way.

The deaf man brought to the Messiah had a speech impediment of some kind, implying at the least that he had been deaf his entire life and his speech reflected this condition. Could the man communicate at all? Was it that he could not make a sound, or that in making the sound, no one could easily understand? Given that the ones who brought the deaf man begged Jesus to lay His hands on the deaf man, I am leaning to understand the man couldn’t communicate clearly.

As a matter of fact, the last verse mentions that those who were astonished at this miracle proclaim that He (Jesus) makes even the deaf hear and the mute to speak! Was this specific to this miracle? Possibly, or the fame of the Master simply preceded Him!

When did the Lord perform this mighty work?

See https://www.bibletimelines.net/timelines/jesus-ministry

Where did the Lord perform this mighty work?

See Signs and Mighty Works of Jesus – Introduction for downloadable reference file.

It is interesting that Mark mentions they were in the region of the Decapolis, a region that encompassed ten cities, (hence the name Deca – polis.) To be in the Decapolis was to be in a Gentile majority population, on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. The Decapolis was in the region belonging to the half tribe of Manasseh, so technically they were still in the promised land, but the Jewish influence was minimal, and the Gentile population looked down upon the Jewish way of life.

It isn’t the first time the group was in the region, for Jesus was in the area when He healed the demon possessed man and sent the swine swimming. At that time, He had been booted out of the area by the locals. Seems it didn’t stick!

Why did the Lord perform this mighty work?

Since the Lord charged the deaf man and all who witnessed the miracle to tell no one, it seems obvious that the mighty sign was not provided in order to get the news out of the Messiah having come. Jesus wanted this one to be a miracle that was without outward purpose, one that was a response only to the recipient, and his friends. This intended purpose was frustrated, as it seems the group began to speak of the miracle after being charged not to by the One who provided the miracle. Even after numerous times of being charged by Jesus to stay quiet, they continued to proclaim the miracle.

It appears the Lord’s will was frustrated by a group of “thankful” witnesses! He gave hearing and speech to the deaf man, and it is safe to assume He could take it away. Yet, He sought their obedience to refrain from speaking of the miracle, and in their disobedience of preaching, brought about an even greater group of those who followed Him.

But was this a positive outcome?

Of course every one of this increasing group may be following after Jesus for the right reason, but there is going to be a winnowing of the group soon. Those who were following simply for the “eye candy” of miracles, (or in this instance “ear” candy?) or for the food that may be provided would be given teaching that would cause a falling away. This may have been a reason the Lord charged them to remain quiet, for the group needed to be reduced, not enlarged, for it to be effective for His purposes.

High numbers of adherents do not equal great strength in this instance!

What was the message for the original audience?

The Word states that He took the deaf man aside from the crowd, seemingly continuing with the theme of keeping this particular miracle an isolated, non spreading work of God. Being pulled aside from the crowd, Jesus touched both this mans ears and his tongue, those members of his body that were dead or crippled, and He provided life to them through a simple command.

The message of the miracle was two fold.

Open Up

First, to the one receiving the miracle, the message was of healing. For his ears and tongue to be opened. Open up. Be opened thoroughly.

Shut Up

Given that the original audience had been reduced to a few for the sake of witnessing the miracle, the second message is also clearly evident.

Shut up! Do not tell anyone. Do not mention it, do not proclaim it, do not say anything about it, do not declare it! Just walk away, take the miracle and just SHUT UP!

Just think of the first thing this deaf man heard. Tell no one. He had just received the gift of communication, and was immediately restricted from using the gift. Yet does not the One who provides for us all good gifts, have the right to tell us to self restrict the gifts He provides?

What is the message for us today?

In our daily lives, it seems clear that to provide the message of God’s self sacrificing love is a message that is to have no restrictions. Preach it far and wide!

And yet in the providence of God’s timing, my wife and I were just in the Gospel of Matthew, where the Lord speaks thus.

Matthew 7:6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

As we chatted about this verse it seemed that Jesus was giving His church a restriction in order to provide a safeguard for themselves. The issue my wife and I still are unsure of, is the nature or identification of who the pigs and dogs are in our lives.

What characteristics would specifically identify these two groups for us, in order to give us guidance in not throwing our pearls before them? I find it coincidental at the very least that Peter uses the same two animals (dogs and swine) in a verse describing a particular group of people he also warns the church of.

2 Peter 2:22

What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

Jesus was not the only One who spoke hard or difficult sayings. Peter, like his Master, brought up a very uncomfortable topic by referring to both dogs and pigs. So does Peter give us some guidance on who dogs and pigs are when they are referred to in the Word. The verse immediately proceeding 2:22 gives us plenty to consider!

2 Peter 2:21

For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.

Peter begins this lengthy passage in chapter 2 with the topic of false prophets/teachers, and describes them as irrational animals in verse 12 (as the proverb Peter refers to also describes them). These teachers knew the truth but had abandoned it!

He provides examples of false teachers bringing in destructive heresies (vs 1), forsaking the right way (vs 15), being entangled and overcome by defilement (vs 20) and finally as those turning back from the way of righteousness (vs 21). Peter summarizes his warning of false teachers in the last few verses of the chapter, in the specific verse we are considering.

So where is the false teacher in your circle of experience? Peter said they would enter in and be among us.

Please don’t consider this an encouragement to start heresy hunting! The issue in my mind is that hunting for false teachers is an exercise in futility somewhat. If we know the Word, (or better yet, if we are increasing in the knowledge of the Savior), the teaching these heretics provide will stick out like a sore thumb.

Also, my estimation of a false teacher may be different than yours, not because we do not have an absolute standard to judge by, but due to our growing but limited ability to understand the standard to be judged by. The standard I refer to is the Spirit provided Word of God of course.

When I first became a believer, I considered every teacher not adhering to my narrow understanding of the denominational teaching I was a part of to be somewhat heretical. This is to my shame, since I elevated a denomination over the Word itself. The denomination is not perfect in their understanding, as I surely am not.

So where does this lead me? A sense of humility and a guarded stance to those I understand, at this time, to be false teachers. How shall I respond to this miracle, and the command to SHUT UP in my situation? Provide nothing holy to false teachers. No effort of correcting them, no time spent watching them, and definitely not supporting them with prayers or financial gifts. They are the enemy in the camp!

Instead seek the Lord in the Word and through prayer. Continue to compare teachers in your circle with the message of the Word. Charlatans, seeking a following by tickling your ears are actually exploiting you, treating you like a commodity, and eventually will abandon you in your hour of need, as the Lord described the hired hand in John 10:12.

Follow after the Messiah, and if He tells you to shut up, SHUT UP!

Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion

Come join us at Considering the Bible